Day Hiking at Mt. Pico de Loro, Philippines

 

This may not be the only reason but, I climbed Mt. Pico de Loro because someone (let’s name him Tsadiktus) requested me to take a picture of him atop the mountain’s summit. And so we invited Ronn, the friend that we met during our Talamitam-Batulao twin hike last December 2012, to be our guide for this hike. And Ronn invited five other friends and Chad invited two more, so we were ten.

Pico_19

It was September–that time of the year when the Philippines is frequently visited by typhoons. And as expected, the weather wasn’t that great for camping, so we opted for a day hike.

The trail is rocky–that’s a given. However, the downpour made it more challenging because the trail got muddy and slippery. It took us about 2.5 hours before we reached the campsite, where we had our lunch and some refreshments, and yeah, where we did a lot of camwhoring! Because while we were at the campsite, just before ascending to the Parrot’s Beak and the Monolith, the weather cooperated and it was suddenly so full of sunshine!

After the photo session, ‘twas time to ascend to the Parrot’s Beak—where the trail was steeper than the ones that we passed along before getting to the campsite. It took us about fifteen minutes of exhausting trek to reach the Parrot’s Beak, where we had a view of the Monolith!

We met some other groups at this spot; exchanged ‘hi’s’ and ‘hello’s’ and ‘take care’s’. It made me realize that the hiking trail is one of those places where you could meet pretty interesting (and I would like to assume, kind) people!

And then we waited for our turn to climb the monolith. We waited until it was time for some real adrenaline rush! We split into two groups, just so we could get photos of each group while on top of the monolith–which was a good idea! And so we had our fair share of monolith moments.

That moment at the Monolith was all worth the scare and nervousness that I felt while climbing to be on top of it! It was an accomplishment, I believe. And as usual, being on top gave me a sense of fulfillment—that kind of feeling that I can’t explain to my mom everytime she asks me what I get when I travel, especially when I climb the mountains… that I always end up saying “happiness!” (full stop!).

After a couple of minutes at the Monolith, we had to start descending as the sky was slowly turning to grey. The descent was more difficult than the ascent, but I’m glad we all got by safely. It started to get a little foggy during our descent back to the campsite.

And then it drizzled. It rained. And our feet were full of mud again.

And we ran out of daylight just before we were back at the jump off point. We were tired, but we were happy; I assume so. We were inspired; I hope so—whether it was our first time, our second time, or our nth time to climb mountains.

“The experienced mountain climber is not intimidated by a mountain — he is inspired by it.” — William Artur Ward

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About the Author: I am Simercita “Psymer” Cabasag, 29 years old. I was born and raised in the Philippines, but currently residing in Reading, United Kingdom.  I am an auditor by profession but traveller by heart. Please click here for my blog’s link.

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One response to “Day Hiking at Mt. Pico de Loro, Philippines

  1. After an enjoyable hike in Mt. Pico de Loro, tourists can now enjoy S&R Shopping Warehouse for imported goods and products right at Imus, Cavite.
    Mike

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